2019 Belse Red Blend California 750 ml

When it comes to vegan pairings, it’s tough to beat Zinfandel, and when it comes to vegan-wine mastery, it’s tough to beat Belse (pronounced “bells”). Their 2019 blend of Zin and Petite Sirah is a revelation—and an absolute star at the dinner table.

With three-quarters of the blend composed of sustainably farmed Zin from Sonoma and Lodi, it boasts all the qualities that have made bold, spicy, fruit-layered Zinfandels a calling card for California. Plum and blackberry aromas spring from the glass, followed by nuances of violet, tobacco, and spice. Powered by juicy richness from 25% old-vine Petite Sirah, it hits the palate like a dark-fruit haymaker then dances with silky tannins through a long-lasting finish—making it the perfect foil for everything from grilled vegetables to spicy black-bean burgers.

The Belse team are vegan virtuosos. Their plant-based restaurants—including LA’s Little Pine, the bistro that many say kickstarted the current vegan-dining movement—have impressed critics and celebrities alike. Seeking a winemaker who employs a minimalist approach in the cellar, Belse tapped self-taught, widely renowned vintner Susie Selby, whose wines have been served at the White House over four different administrations.

Many wines are vegan friendly, but few are certified vegan. Winemakers often filter and fine their wines to remove particles and clarify it before bottling, and many fining agents include egg whites and animal proteins like gelatin or casein. Vegan wineries like Belse trade those agents for ones derived from pea protein, clay, or activated charcoal—or simply leave their wines unfined and unfiltered.

The Belse Red Blend rested in neutral French and American oak barrels for 12 months—and the finished product is flat-out irresistible.